New Zealand's main international gateway saw the number of Chinese visitors soar by 31.5 percent in the year to the end of May even as total international visitor numbers fell.
Auckland Airport's monthly traffic update showed 12,443 Chinese travelers passed through its gates last month compared with 8,620 in May last year.
"Ten of the last 12 months have resulted in double digit arrivals growth from China, including 44.4-percent growth in May 2012 compared to May 2011," said the update.
"China was the second largest inbound market behind Australia for the third month in a row with almost 4,500 more arrivals than the third placed U.S.A.."
However, total international passenger volumes, excluding transit passengers, at Auckland Airport last month fell by 2.9 percent over May last year.
"May 2012 had some easing of services to/from Asia and Australia and the scheduled exit by Qantas on the Auckland-Los Angeles route," said the update.
Visitor arrivals from the United Kingdom, one of New Zealand's traditional tourist source countries, were down 1.7 percent in the year to the end of May, as Britons stayed at home for their queen' s diamond jubilee celebrations and the upcoming Olympic Games, and as they were hit by higher UK air passenger duty charges, said the update. |
